Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport temporarily halts doping testing program

The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) has placed its doping control testing program on hold until further notice. A laboratory assistant takes some urine to test for analgesics and narcotics, at the Swiss Doping analyzing laboratory in Lausanne, this Tuesday, June 10, 2008. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Keystone, Dominic Favre

The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) has placed its doping control testing program on hold until further notice.

The CCES announced its decision Friday in a statement posted to its website.

The organization said putting its program on hold is "in response to updated government directives intended to minimize the risk of exposure and spread of COVID-19 and the postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games."

"Athletes should know that most other countries around the world are also adjusting their anti-doping programs in accordance with their national responses to deal with COVID-19," the statement said. "The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is actively monitoring these adjustments. The CCES will continue to update WADA on the adjustments we are taking in Canada."

The CCES said athletes will continue to be subject to the Canadian Anti-Doping Program (CADP).